Luke 13:18-35
Dear RTB’ers,
He went on His way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. (Luke 13:22) Almost a month ago we saw that Jesus had set His face toward Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51) My Study Bible noted that He is now in a region known as Perea, a narrow strip of land just across the Jordan River from Samaria. Matthew, Mark, and John all agree on this item: When Jesus had finished these words, He left Galilee and came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan… (Matthew 19:1; also Mark 10:1 and John 10:40). So His listeners are no longer His fellow Galileans, but are now Israelites who relate more to Jerusalem than Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee.
I shudder every time I read the following verses (Jesus speaking to the crowd): “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ ” (vv. 26-27) Matthew’s words are even stronger: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you…’” (Matthew 7:21-23) I never knew you. Or US…??!! A scary thought…! Then He goes on to tell the crowd that they will see themselves cast out – His Chosen People! – replaced by Gentiles from all over the world, …from east and west, and from north and south… (v. 29). I never knew you!
Blessings!